The Atlanta Falcons are still reeling from a very difficult 2013 season. Coming into the year, the Falcons were considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But what unfolded, was a season that could easily be deemed as disastrous.

One guy you have to feel for is Tony Gonzalez. The greatest tight end of all time returned to the gridiron in 2013 for one reason — to win a championship. Obviously, he fell well short of that goal in his 17th and final season. But now it appears he’s left the door open for an 18th season, kind of.

Gonzalez recently made this comment to ESPN the magazine: “Maybe, if the team is hot in November, 9–2 or something, I could come back for the last two months.”

Then on Friday, the GOAT had this to say when Doug Gottlieb asked him about the possibility of returning to a 10-0 Falcons team in 2014: “I’d probably take them up on that offer, especially if they’re 10-0.”

So there you have it. Gonzalez still doesn’t sound like a guy who’s content with hanging up his cleats.

The likely reality is that the Falcons won’t even be close to 10-0 next year, but you never know. At the same time, it makes you think that another 10-0 or 9-1 team could call Gonzalez for some late-season help. Would he be willing to offer his services? It’s certainly possible.

The main thing I’m taking out of all of this? Gonzalez is ready to be done with the grind that is an NFL season. But he’s not yet done with his goal of winning a championship.